Release Detail

July 12, 2006 - New Yorkers Like Mayor's Big Talk,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
But Most Don't Think He'll Run For President

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's policy of speaking out on major national issues is good for the
city, New York City voters say 70 - 16 percent, but most voters don't think the Mayor will run
for President and fewer than half would vote for him if he did, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today.

A total of 36 percent of voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" Bloomberg
will run for President, while 62 percent say it is "not too likely" or "not likely at all," the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

If Bloomberg does run, 40 percent of New York City voters say they "definitely" or
"probably" will vote for him, while 48 percent say they "probably" or "definitely" won't.

"Keep talking, Mayor Mike. An opinionated Bloomberg? Great, New Yorkers think.
President Bloomberg? That's another question. He wouldn't carry his city," said Maurice
Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The yackiest borough,
Manhattan, applauds the mayor's talkativeness the most."

"Mayor Bloomberg's new outspokenness hasn't persuaded most New Yorkers that he
has his eye on the White House. But there's a hefty minority who think he might."

"Whether or not he's thinking about Washington, New Yorkers continue to think he's
doing okay in City Hall," Carroll said.
Ground Zero

New York City voters approve 52 - 24 percent of the new design for the memorial at
Ground Zero and approve 53 - 26 percent of the new plans for the Freedom Tower at the
World Trade Center site.

But only 40 percent of New York City voters say the redevelopment of Ground Zero is
going "very well" or "somewhat well," with 52 percent who say "somewhat badly" or "very
badly." This is the lowest grade in four years of polling on this question and compares to a
44 - 47 percent split in an April 12 Quinnipiac University poll.

The families of 9/11 victims have the right amount of input in the development of plans
for the Ground Zero memorial, 41 percent of New York City voters say, while 21 percent say
they have too little input and 28 percent say the families have too much input.

"New Yorkers agree more and more with claims by media and politicians that the pace
of Ground Zero redevelopment is sluggish. But most voters like the new plans for the
Freedom Tower and the memorial," Carroll said.

"New Yorkers disagree with claims the 9/11 widows have too much to say about
rebuilding Ground Zero. Most say the families have too little input or the right amount."

In an open-ended question, where voters can give any answer, 19 percent of voters list
education as the most important problem facing the city today, with 12 percent each for crime
and housing, 11 percent for the economy and 10 percent for terrorism.
Schools Chancellor Joel Klein gets a negative 37 - 40 percent approval rating, with 22
percent undecided, his worst score ever. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly gets a 66 - 20 percent
approval rating, including 56 - 32 percent among black voters.

From July 5 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,041 New York City registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and nationwide
as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Michael Bloomberg is handling his
job as Mayor?

13. There has been a lot of talk about the possibility that Mayor Bloomberg might
run for President. How likely do you think it is that he will run for President?
Very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?

14. If Mayor Bloomberg ran for President, how likely is it that you would vote
for him? Would you definitely vote for him, probably vote for him, probably
not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?